New Zealand Expands ISPR Tax Incentive: What the 2026 Changes Mean for Productions
Liana Dubois
In today's global filming landscape, the competition to attract production is at at level never seen before. New Zealand’s production industry currently supports 5,200 screen businesses, employs around 24,000 people, and generates $3.5 billion annually. To continue growing a thriving production industry, New Zealand reaffirmed its ambition to remain one of the world’s most attractive destinations for global screen production by expanding the Government’s International Screen Production Rebate (ISPR).
The bill was passed on November 7, 2025 and went into effect January 2026 with a goal to attract a broader range of international film, TV, streaming, and PDV-only projects to the region. Through a more flexible and competitive framework designed to meet modern production needs New Zealand is optimistic about ensuring the longevity of its production industry.
For international studios, streamers, and independent producers alike, the opportunity is significant. But as with all incentive frameworks, the value is only fully realised when policy intent is matched with financial rigour, compliance, and smart execution on the ground.
In this article, you’ll learn what to expect from the revised New Zealand film rebate, the impact it will have on the screen industry, and how Entertainment Partners can help productions maximize the benefits of the program.
What changed under New Zealand’s International Screen Production Rebate (ISPR)?
Before the ISPR expansion went into effect, New Zealand’s production incentive framework consisted of two components that apply to either domestic or international projects:
Domestic Component (NZSPR):
The Domestic Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) provides a 40% rebate for eligible New Zealand productions. Eligibility requires that the production contain significant New Zealand content (assessed using a points-based test) or qualifies as an official co-production. Manatū Taonga has policy responsibility for this component of the NZSPR.
International Component (ISPR):
The International Screen Production Rebate (ISPR) provides a 20% rebate, with an additional 5% available in certain circumstances, for eligible international productions that locate in New Zealand. Hīkina Whakatutuki – the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) – has policy responsibility for the international rebate.
With the ISPR expansions, opportunities have opened significantly for mid-budget films and series, streaming content, and PDV-only projects.
Below are the four key areas of the incentive expansion and the benefits they offer productions:
1. Lower minimum spend threshold
Under the program changes, the new Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure (QNZPE) minimum spend is NZ$4 million for all formats (film, TV, streaming), reduced from the previous NZ$15 million minimum.
This change allows mid-budget films and series that were previously excluded to now qualify for the ISPR.
2. Lower threshold to access the 5% uplift
Projects meeting the NZ$20 million QNZPE threshold (previously NZ$30 million) qualify for the ISPR uplift.
This allows more international productions to realistically reach the full 25% rebate, particularly episodic and returning series.
3. PDV-only and VFX projects now eligible for the ISPR 5% uplift
Post-production, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) projects can now:
- Qualify for the 20% base rebate
- Access the additional 5% uplift via a new PDV-specific uplift test
As a result, New Zealand is now competitive for:
- VFX-heavy films
- Streaming series post-production pipelines
- Standalone PDV work without principal photography in New Zealand
4. Removal of the Above-the-Line (ATL) cap
A larger portion of the total budget toward principal actors, directors, writers, producers, and other creative leads can now qualify toward the 25% rebate for international productions.
With these new and improved incentive opportunities, the New Zealand screen industry makes clear that it is not just a beautiful location with majestic backdrops for tentpole fantasy trilogies, but a full production and post-production partner for projects of all sizes.
New Zealand's expanded ISPR means bigger opportunity and increased complexity
At its core, New Zealand’s expanded ISPR strengthens three key areas:
- Long-term certainty: Providing greater confidence for large-scale, multi-year international productions weighing up global location decisions.
- Global competitiveness: Ensuring New Zealand remains compelling alongside Australia, the UK, Canada, and key US states such as New York, New Jersey, and Georgia.
- Stronger continuity: Supporting a steady pipeline of work that sustains local crews, facilities, and the broader creative economy.
The ISPR changes are not just focused on attracting production spend, but creating an environment for long-term industry health, jobs, skills transfer, infrastructure utilisation, and cultural impact.
The expansion also brings a more complex application and auditing process, particularly in the following areas:
- Eligible spend and qualifying criteria
- Audit and reporting requirements
- Currency, cashflow, and timing considerations
- Alignment between production accounting, payroll, and rebate claims
For producers juggling tight schedules, evolving budgets, and global stakeholders, incentive optimisation can quickly become a distraction, or potentially a risk, if not managed properly.
That’s where Entertainment Partners comes in as your go-to production incentive partner.
How Entertainment Partners helps productions navigate New Zealand’s expanded ISPR
Entertainment Partners operates at the intersection of creativity and commerce, helping productions turn policy into practical outcomes.
The EP team supports clients across the full lifecycle of production, including:
1. Incentive strategy & rebate optimisation
Entertainment Partners' incentives experts will work with producers early to model rebate eligibility, optimise qualifying spend, and ensure location decisions are grounded in commercial reality rather than assumptions.
2. Technology & Payroll
EP’s integrated payroll and production technology streamline budgeting, cost reporting, and approvals, providing real-time visibility that supports confident decision-making and audit readiness, while meeting both local compliance requirements and global studio expectations.
3. Global incentives perspective with local New Zealand execution
With our collective experience of experts around the world, Entertainment Partners helps international productions navigate local requirements while staying aligned with global financial frameworks.
Equipped with a robust support system like EP, producers can choose New Zealand with confidence, knowing the experts at EP will be there to help them maximise their production incentive benefits, simplify complexity, and stay focused on making great work.
Stunning views of the cliffside in Roaring Bay, New-Zealand
Why New Zealand remains a strategic choice for filmmakers
In addition to the newly enhanced incentives, New Zealand continues to offer a compelling proposition for productions:
- World-class crews and production capability
- Proven infrastructure and facilities
- Extraordinary locations with eye-popping visuals
- A collaborative industry culture that understands global production standards
The expanded New Zealand film rebate strengthens an already strong foundation. At a time when global production is recalibrating through balancing cost, creativity, policy, and geopolitics, New Zealand’s move is both pragmatic and strategic. When incentives are paired with smart production finance, robust systems, and trusted partners, they don’t just attract projects; they build industries.
And that’s good for storytelling, jobs, and the creative economy on both sides of the camera.
Expertise that keeps pace with global policy change
Incentives don’t stand still, and neither does Entertainment Partners.
Across New Zealand and other global film markets, Entertainment Partners’ in-house incentives specialists continuously monitor legislative updates, agency guidance, audit precedents, and market shifts as they happen. That means EP’s clients aren’t reacting to change; they’re prepared for it.
If New Zealand seems like a good fit for your next filming location, explore our incentive tools and connect with our incentives experts to start the conversation. We are ready to partner with your production, building on New Zealand’s rich cinematic legacy by helping bring your story to screen with clarity and ease.
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